PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Morgan Springer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darren Martin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Darren Martin looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Springer
vs
Martin

189 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
21
198 lbs
2 - 6 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Morgan Springer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Darren Martin!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Damien Edna and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Springer goes for a double leg but Martin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Martin continues to drive forward.
Springer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Martin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Martin wants it to stay on the feet.
Martin's coach down at The Iron Works $800 Elite Coaches was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Martin's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Morgan Springer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Springer changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Martin tries to avoid it but Springer manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Martin to the ground. Martin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Martin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Springer trying to keep a closed guard but Martin is proving a slippery customer.
Martin throws a big elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Martin preventing the sweep.
Martin wants to get up but he can't break Springer's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Springer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Martin is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Springer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Martin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Martin.

Springer bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Martin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Springer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Martin somewhat.
Springer tries to counter by clinching up but Martin breaks away and moves out of range.
Martin looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Springer tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Martin manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Springer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Springer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Springer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Springer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Martin feints the counter takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Springer. No joy for Martin on that attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Martin closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Springer gets back to full guard.
Martin won't allow Springer to sweep him here.
Martin tries to stand but Springer is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin throws a big right hand that misses.
Springer bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Martin's guard.

Springer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Martin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Martin keeping moving, preventing Springer from controlling successfully.
Springer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Martin keeping moving, preventing Springer from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Springer slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Springer wants to control from the top but Martin keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Springer looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Martin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Springer will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Martin closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Springer quickly recovers to half guard.
Springer is trying to control but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Springer holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Morgan Springer will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Martin misses with a body shot.
Martin fails with the takedown.
Springer tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Martin swivels and escapes.
Springer closes this distance looking for a takedown but Martin circles away.
Springer throws a series of punches but Martin avoids them all with ease.
Springer shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Morgan Springer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Springer dives in for a single leg takedown but Martin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
As Springer backs off Martin throws a huge counter combo but Springer manages to avoid it all.
Martin has a takedown stuffed.
Morgan Springer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Springer closes the distance and clinches up with Martin, looking for a takedown. Springer pushes Martin against the cage but Martin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Martin has closed the distance and engaged Springer in a clinch.
Springer is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin works on Springer's body with a couple of short punches.
Martin content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Springer jumps guard.
Martin works over Springer with some ground and pound from guard.
Martin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Martin scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Martin advances position into side control!
Springer is trying to control Martin's posture but Martin avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Springer tries to bench press Martin off him but Martin keeps the position.
Martin works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Martin works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Springer bucks up and tries to throw Martin off but instead Martin has got his back!

Martin is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Springer knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Springer for a finish.
Martin avoiding Springer 's attempts to control his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Springer is trying to break free.

Springer preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Martin.
Darren Martin has got the better of the ground game so far.

Martin looking for the RNC.
Martin scores with punches to the body.

Springer defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Martin tightening his grip on Springer, looking for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martin landing with strikes.
Will Martin go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Martin lands a shot to the head.

Martin looking for the choke from the back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Martin is hanging on to Springer's back as he tries to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darren Martin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Springer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Martin tries to counter with a clinch but Springer shakes him off and moves away.

Martin instigates a clinch.

Springer ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Springer no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Martin lands a couple of digs.
Springer pulls Martin in close to prevent any damage.
Martin preventing the sweep.

Springer working for a triangle but Martin defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Martin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Springer is trying to hold Martin in close to prevent damage but Martin has managed to pass into half guard.
Springer trying to control but Martin postures up.
Martin is keen to just control but Springer is a slippery customer.
Martin wants to stand up but Springer is controlling the position.
Springer tries to get to full guard but Martin has control of the leg.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Springer trying to hold on to Martin's head to control him but Martin postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Martin goes for a double leg but Springer avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Springer continues to drive forward.
Martin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Martin wants it to stay on the feet.

Martin throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Springer was covering up waiting for the punch and Martin finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Springer not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Martin wants to pass the guard but Springer is keeping the position.
Springer can't keep his opponent in guard - Martin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Springer wants to control but Martin is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Martin working Springer over with strikes.
Martin wants to take a breather but Springer is having none of it.

Martin is working for a kimura but Springer is defending it quite comfortably.
Springer tries to get to full guard but Martin has control of the leg.
Martin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Martin working the head and body with strikes.
Springer wants to get back to his feet.

Martin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Springer is just riding it out for now. Martin eventually gives up the hold.

Springer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Martin pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darren Martin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Martin has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darren Martin!
Darren Martin seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.